Orangeburg, South Carolina -- As the Florida A&M football team began to gather for its postgame huddle with coach Joe Taylor, he did a right about-turn. Taylor led the way as the team rushed to the side where its band was playing. They had earned the right to celebrate Saturday afternoon at Oliver Dawson Stadium by defeating South Carolina State, 27-24.
A defensive stance unlike any that the Rattlers have shown all season limited the Bulldogs to 178 yards of rushing and just another 121 passing. FAMU capped off a fourth-quarter comeback with two rushing touchdown by LaVante Page and shut the door for good with a fake punt during the closing minutes.
South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough said he was considering possible plays for his Bulldogs team when FAMU struck with the fake.
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FAMU executes when it matters
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Florida A&M made its running plays count when it mattered most Saturday afternoon, although it managed fewer than 150 yards on the ground against South Carolina State.
The Rattlers ran the ball a total of 13 times during a fourth-quarter comeback in front of 17,153 in attendance. Both times FAMU got in the red zone, LaVante Page was the one who punched it in to secure a 27-24 victory. The win ended an eight-game losing streak for FAMU against SCSU, and also snapped a two-game home winning streak for the Bulldogs.
"It was just execution and the line blocking," said Page. "We executed."
SCSU came into the game with the third-best rushing attack in the MEAC. But while it won the battle on the ground (178 yards to 142 for FAMU), the Bulldogs didn't get the production that usually comes out of their backfield.
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Is the MEAC catching up to the Bulldogs?
Orangeburg, S.C. - Buddy Pough paused for a moment. With a small band of reporters in front of him, he gathered what he had just been told - Howard knocked off North Carolina A&T, the MEAC's only undefeated team - silently.
A win would have kept the Bulldogs in the battle for the conference heading down the stretch.
For the past three seasons, Pough's team has at least shared the MEAC title. But, as he heard the news, Pough was the head coach of a team that had freshly squandered a 24-13 third-quarter lead, surrendering two Florida A&M touchdowns in the fourth quarter to slide back into the peripheral of the conference-title race.
Finally, Pough spoke.
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MEAC standings grow more cluttered
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — No one saw this coming — Norfolk State leading the standings with a month left in the season. North Carolina A&T going undefeated in conference play through its first three games didn't even seem like a possibility.
That's what has transpired, though, and at a point when there should be some kind of clear-cut indication which team will win the MEAC title, things just keep getting cloudier. That's in part to Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-1) stunning NSU (6-2, 4-1) on Thursday night, which allowed the Aggies to take a 3-0 conference record into their game against Howard on Saturday.
That ended after two overtimes with Howard (4-4, 3-2) winning its homecoming game 35-28 over the Aggies (4-3, 3-1). A few days before Florida A&M (5-3, 3-2) hooked up with South Carolina State (4-4, 3-2), Bulldogs coach Buddy Pough was trying to put the unexpected occurrences into perspective.
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Sunday, October 23, 2011
HU Pirates survive homecoming scare in win over NCCU Eagles
HAMPTON, Virginia - The Hampton University football team’s four seniors had one thing in mind coming into Saturday’s contest at Armstrong Stadium: Homecoming. The Pirates had not won a Homecoming game since defeating Winston-Salem State 13-3 in 2006, but seniors David Legree, Isaiah Thomas, Dyrri McCain and Micah Pellein wanted to leave their final year with a win on Homecoming – which the Pirates would accomplish, though it took longer than expected with a 30-27 overtime win over North Carolina Central.
Hampton started the game by driving the ball into NCCU territory on its first two drives, but the first ended in a turnover on downs and the second ended in a blocked field goal. The Eagles would get on the board first, when Oleg Parent kicked a 40-yard field goal with 20 second left in the first quarter. Hampton would answer the Eagles on a 6-yard run by running back Antwon Chisholm with 11:49 left in the second quarter to give the Pirates a 7-3 lead. Hampton would score once more in the second quarter off of a 23-yard field goal by Taurean Durham to put the Pirates up 10-3, but the Eagles would manage to go 60 yards in under 1:46 to tie the game up at 10-10 at halftime.
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HU pulls away in overtime, defeats N.C. Central 30-27
HAMPTON, Virginia — — On a day when Hampton continually struggled to get out of its own way, it was North Carolina Central that wound up making the biggest mistake. The Eagles celebrated too soon.
Up three in overtime, the Eagles pranced off the field in jubilation after defensive back Marc Lewis appeared to recover an Antwan Chisholm fumble. Ultimately, though, it was Hampton's Jamal Wilson with the ball at the bottom of the pile. Three plays later, Jeremiah Schwartz bulled into the end zone from a yard out to lift the Pirates past the Eagles 30-27 at Armstrong Stadium and seal Hampton's first homecoming victory since 2006.
"When I saw that play, the first thing I thought about was the Bethune game," Pirates coach Donovan Rose said, referring to Hampton's controversial loss Sept. 22 at Bethune-Cookman, when Isiah Thomas' apparent game-winning touchdown reception as time expired was overturned on video review. "I'm thinking, Oh, no, not again.
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Hampton started the game by driving the ball into NCCU territory on its first two drives, but the first ended in a turnover on downs and the second ended in a blocked field goal. The Eagles would get on the board first, when Oleg Parent kicked a 40-yard field goal with 20 second left in the first quarter. Hampton would answer the Eagles on a 6-yard run by running back Antwon Chisholm with 11:49 left in the second quarter to give the Pirates a 7-3 lead. Hampton would score once more in the second quarter off of a 23-yard field goal by Taurean Durham to put the Pirates up 10-3, but the Eagles would manage to go 60 yards in under 1:46 to tie the game up at 10-10 at halftime.
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HU pulls away in overtime, defeats N.C. Central 30-27
HAMPTON, Virginia — — On a day when Hampton continually struggled to get out of its own way, it was North Carolina Central that wound up making the biggest mistake. The Eagles celebrated too soon.
Up three in overtime, the Eagles pranced off the field in jubilation after defensive back Marc Lewis appeared to recover an Antwan Chisholm fumble. Ultimately, though, it was Hampton's Jamal Wilson with the ball at the bottom of the pile. Three plays later, Jeremiah Schwartz bulled into the end zone from a yard out to lift the Pirates past the Eagles 30-27 at Armstrong Stadium and seal Hampton's first homecoming victory since 2006.
"When I saw that play, the first thing I thought about was the Bethune game," Pirates coach Donovan Rose said, referring to Hampton's controversial loss Sept. 22 at Bethune-Cookman, when Isiah Thomas' apparent game-winning touchdown reception as time expired was overturned on video review. "I'm thinking, Oh, no, not again.
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Howard wins its homecoming game; A&T Aggies one yard short
Washington, D.C. -- Howard’s defense stopped North Carolina A&T quarterback Lewis Kindle a yard short of the end zone in overtime to give the Bison a 35-28 victory Saturday, only their second win in their last six homecoming games.
After the Bison (4-4, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) scored on Terrence Leffall’s three-yard run on the first possession of overtime, the Aggies (4-3, 3-1) picked up a couple of first downs to reach the Howard 3-yard line.
Two incompletions and a one-yard loss on a Mike Mayhew run left them with a fourth and four, and Kindle was stopped by defensive end Sackie Kerkulah after a three-yard gain.
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Aggies fall 1 yard short in overtime
WASHINGTON -- Lewis Kindle knelt on the 1-yard line Saturday afternoon, as a few Howard defenders and some fans danced in the end zone. Minutes earlier, the N.C. A&T quarterback had been stopped short on a fourth-and-goal run and Howard escaped with a 35-28 overtime win on homecoming.
"We had a pass play called and they had it covered pretty well," Kindle said. "I thought I could get in." He couldn't. And the Aggies (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) couldn't match Terrance Leffall's 3-yard TD run in overtime that won it for Howard (4-4, 3-2).
"A&T made a big play on third down," Bison coach Gary Harrell said, "and had four downs to get in."
But Howard's defense forced an incomplete pass on third down at the 3, and then Kindle was stopped 1 yard short on fourth down.
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After the Bison (4-4, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) scored on Terrence Leffall’s three-yard run on the first possession of overtime, the Aggies (4-3, 3-1) picked up a couple of first downs to reach the Howard 3-yard line.
Two incompletions and a one-yard loss on a Mike Mayhew run left them with a fourth and four, and Kindle was stopped by defensive end Sackie Kerkulah after a three-yard gain.
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Aggies fall 1 yard short in overtime
WASHINGTON -- Lewis Kindle knelt on the 1-yard line Saturday afternoon, as a few Howard defenders and some fans danced in the end zone. Minutes earlier, the N.C. A&T quarterback had been stopped short on a fourth-and-goal run and Howard escaped with a 35-28 overtime win on homecoming.
"We had a pass play called and they had it covered pretty well," Kindle said. "I thought I could get in." He couldn't. And the Aggies (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) couldn't match Terrance Leffall's 3-yard TD run in overtime that won it for Howard (4-4, 3-2).
"A&T made a big play on third down," Bison coach Gary Harrell said, "and had four downs to get in."
But Howard's defense forced an incomplete pass on third down at the 3, and then Kindle was stopped 1 yard short on fourth down.
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Alcorn State crushes Concordia - Selma 58-16
LORMAN, Mississippi — Darius Smith threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score as Alcorn State crushed Concordia-Selma 58-16 on Saturday. Smith finished 9 of 18 for 162 yards passing with an interception for the Braves (2-4), and Arnold Walker added 115 yards on 21 carries.
The Braves actually trailed Concordia-Selma of the NAIA 6-0 early in the opening quarter, but then ripped off 51 straight points to sink the Hornets. Smith’s scores opened and closed the run, including 41- and 18-yard touchdown passes to Terrance Lewis and a 10-yard scoring scamper.
Alcorn State tallied five interceptions off three separate Concordia quarterbacks, and William Thomas returned one of those 45 yards for a score. Terrance Jenkins also ran back a blocked punt for a 42-yard touchdown for the Braves.
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The Braves actually trailed Concordia-Selma of the NAIA 6-0 early in the opening quarter, but then ripped off 51 straight points to sink the Hornets. Smith’s scores opened and closed the run, including 41- and 18-yard touchdown passes to Terrance Lewis and a 10-yard scoring scamper.
Alcorn State tallied five interceptions off three separate Concordia quarterbacks, and William Thomas returned one of those 45 yards for a score. Terrance Jenkins also ran back a blocked punt for a 42-yard touchdown for the Braves.
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TSU thumps Central State to snap three-game losing streak
Houston, Texas -- Texas Southern was under the weather with a three-game losing streak. A homecoming game against winless Division II Central State (Ohio) provided the cure.
The Tigers shook off an early scare and pitched a shutout in the second half en route to beating the Marauders 42-11 before a crowd of 7,319 Saturday afternoon at Delmar Stadium.
Running back Marcus Wright rushed for a game-high 131 yards and a touchdown, and Martin Gilbert scored twice to help TSU (3-4) win for the first time since defeating Alcorn State on Sept. 24. The Tigers also got a strong contribution from their defense, which held Central State to 186 yards (54 in the second half) while recording a season-high eight sacks (equaling their total entering the game).
TSU's special teams unit chipped in with two blocked punts and its first two field goals of the season.
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The Tigers shook off an early scare and pitched a shutout in the second half en route to beating the Marauders 42-11 before a crowd of 7,319 Saturday afternoon at Delmar Stadium.
Running back Marcus Wright rushed for a game-high 131 yards and a touchdown, and Martin Gilbert scored twice to help TSU (3-4) win for the first time since defeating Alcorn State on Sept. 24. The Tigers also got a strong contribution from their defense, which held Central State to 186 yards (54 in the second half) while recording a season-high eight sacks (equaling their total entering the game).
TSU's special teams unit chipped in with two blocked punts and its first two field goals of the season.
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GSU wins homecoming game in OT over Mississippi Valley
GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Quarterback D.J. Williams headed to the line of scrimmage for just his second play of the afternoon. Grambling had allowed visiting Mississippi Valley State 17 straight points to force overtime at 24-24 before holding the Delta Devils scoreless on their offensive possession.The Tigers took their stances with a handoff planned, but as the freshman surveyed the defense, he flipped the script.
“Instincts,” Williams said. “We’ve got the best receiver in the SWAC, and one-on-one nobody can stop him. I saw one-on-one, and I just threw it up … I knew (he’d catch it) all along. That’s why I just walked to the sideline because I knew. I had already planned it out.”
Williams dropped back and look to the left edge of the end zone where ...
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Saturday, October 22, 2011
Fort Valley State ready for homecoming atmosphere
Almost as many fans will remain outside the stadium during the game for the socializing that will be inside watching to see if the Wildcats can break a three-game losing streak and finally turn a close game into a win.
FVSU has lost games by one, three and five points, and the other losses have been to a pair of FCS teams and a Division II power. “The schedule, the schedule’s been tough, man,” FVSU senior linebacker Bernard Goodrum said. “It was tough.”
Key injuries early on in one of the most ambitious SIAC schedules in years have left the Wildcats reeling, frustrated at being close but unable to come up with the late-game big play.
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WSSU prepares to face Edward Waters' option
Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State's defense will see something it hasn't seen all season when Edward Waters visits Bowman Gray Stadium today. It will see an option-type offense, which could present problems.
"They are an option team," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said of the 2-4 Tigers. "We look forward to the challenge because it's going to be tough facing an option team. It's assignment football, and guys can't guess — so they'll have to know their assignments…."
Kickoff is set for 1:30. The Rams, 7-0 and ranked 11th in the Division II coaches' poll, clinched the CIAA's Southern Division title last week with a 63-7 rout of Livingstone. They'll step outside of conference play for a rare home game.
"This is only our third home game ...
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"They are an option team," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said of the 2-4 Tigers. "We look forward to the challenge because it's going to be tough facing an option team. It's assignment football, and guys can't guess — so they'll have to know their assignments…."
Kickoff is set for 1:30. The Rams, 7-0 and ranked 11th in the Division II coaches' poll, clinched the CIAA's Southern Division title last week with a 63-7 rout of Livingstone. They'll step outside of conference play for a rare home game.
"This is only our third home game ...
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Blown Away: NSU Spartan Legion gives B-CU a music lesson in Crunkology 101
Norfolk, Virginia (Oct.20, 2011) -- Tonight, the great Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats Band received a valuable lesson in Crunkology 101, from the Spartan Legion Marching Band of Norfolk State University.
The backdrop from this entertaining clash of band pageantry, magnificent musicianship, showmanship, originality, and marching supremacy was the nationally televised football game between the MEAC leading Norfolk Spartans and the B-CU Wildcats. Too bad ESPNU hasn't learned that Thursday night HBCU TV football fans don't give a darn about Sports Center at half-time. Students and parents want to see the marching band battle....PERIOD.
Great credit is given to Bethune-Cookman University for busing the 400+ Wildcats band from Daytona Beach to Norfolk, a distance of 1418 miles round-trip and 24 total hours travel time away from school and classes on Wednesday and Friday.
No doubt, B-CU performance was good and very entertaining!
Norfolk State gave the Wildcats a valuable lesson in crunkology, showmanship and superior marching. The Spartan Legion marches under 260, but the superior musicianship, crystal clear melody and counter-melody lines from the woodwinds, upper and lower brass were superb in Thursday's performance. Much credit has to be given to NSU band directors and arrangers who fresh perspectives in music of mixing funk, hip-hop and crunk, gives the Spartan Legion a powerful sound, that punctuates every movement of the band with a rhythmic bass and drum line that we all enjoy.
Bethune is good -- but not great due to its lack of originality. The Wildcats marching style is ordinary, the drum major movements are a total copy-cat of FAMU, Jackson State Sonic Boom and UAPB M4 Bands. What the Wildcats need is many more lessons is crunkology and a total makeover in marching style.
More importantly, B-CU announcer is a total irritation and negatively impacts the band performance in their simple dance routines. What is needed here is less talking over the band and more creative, rhythmic, and slick choreography for the dance routines. No originality in this phase of the performance.
Is anyone able to pop a 90 degree knee lift in the B-CU Wildcats band? Look at Norfolk State --That's how you march with precision --popping 90's.
Close your eyes and listen to the Marching Wildcats -- there is nothing unique in their musical style and sound that gives them a "signature," other than "Let's go Wildcats."
The backdrop from this entertaining clash of band pageantry, magnificent musicianship, showmanship, originality, and marching supremacy was the nationally televised football game between the MEAC leading Norfolk Spartans and the B-CU Wildcats. Too bad ESPNU hasn't learned that Thursday night HBCU TV football fans don't give a darn about Sports Center at half-time. Students and parents want to see the marching band battle....PERIOD.
Great credit is given to Bethune-Cookman University for busing the 400+ Wildcats band from Daytona Beach to Norfolk, a distance of 1418 miles round-trip and 24 total hours travel time away from school and classes on Wednesday and Friday.
No doubt, B-CU performance was good and very entertaining!
Norfolk State gave the Wildcats a valuable lesson in crunkology, showmanship and superior marching. The Spartan Legion marches under 260, but the superior musicianship, crystal clear melody and counter-melody lines from the woodwinds, upper and lower brass were superb in Thursday's performance. Much credit has to be given to NSU band directors and arrangers who fresh perspectives in music of mixing funk, hip-hop and crunk, gives the Spartan Legion a powerful sound, that punctuates every movement of the band with a rhythmic bass and drum line that we all enjoy.
Bethune is good -- but not great due to its lack of originality. The Wildcats marching style is ordinary, the drum major movements are a total copy-cat of FAMU, Jackson State Sonic Boom and UAPB M4 Bands. What the Wildcats need is many more lessons is crunkology and a total makeover in marching style.
More importantly, B-CU announcer is a total irritation and negatively impacts the band performance in their simple dance routines. What is needed here is less talking over the band and more creative, rhythmic, and slick choreography for the dance routines. No originality in this phase of the performance.
Is anyone able to pop a 90 degree knee lift in the B-CU Wildcats band? Look at Norfolk State --That's how you march with precision --popping 90's.
Close your eyes and listen to the Marching Wildcats -- there is nothing unique in their musical style and sound that gives them a "signature," other than "Let's go Wildcats."
A world-class collegiate marching band is more than a fight song!
Thursday night -- Norfolk State University approached "world-class" and originality won hands down in all phases of the contest. Behold - The Green and Gold !!!
Winner: Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band.
(beepbeep)
Thursday night -- Norfolk State University approached "world-class" and originality won hands down in all phases of the contest. Behold - The Green and Gold !!!
Winner: Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band.
(beepbeep)
St. Aug's Falcons to host Johnson C. Smith in historic game
Raleigh, North Carolina -- For the first time in over 40 years, Saint Augustine’s College will host a home football game on its campus.
History will be made Saturday (Oct. 22) when the Falcons face Johnson C. Smith University in the first game at the George Williams Athletic Complex. The CIAA contest, starting at 2 p.m., is the centerpiece of homecoming weekend, which started Oct. 20.
The stadium features a FieldTurf playing surface in addition to a state-of-the-art scoreboard and track surface befitting the person the stadium is named after – George Williams, the school’s athletic director and iconic track and field coach.
The 2004 U.S. Olympic Head Coach, Williams has led his track and field teams to 31 NCAA Division II championships and approximately 150 CIAA titles in his 35 years as St. Aug head coach.
“It is a great thing that we can play on our own campus,” Williams said. “Our students can come out of their residence halls and see the game. Give praise to our president – Dr. [Dianne Boardley] Suber - for this. We give all those involved a big round of thanks, and hope it will be an everlasting relationship between the community, the city of Raleigh and the college.”
After playing the previous three home games in Durham, N.C., Head Football Coach Michael Costa is certainly looking forward to this moment. His Falcon teams have played at various off-campus sites in Raleigh, N.C., since football was re-instituted at St. Aug in 2002.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” Costa said. “We have been waiting 10 seasons for this. We appreciate the opportunity to showcase our talents to our fans and our alumni and finally have that home field advantage.”
Football Game Notes vs. Johnson C. Smith
History will be made Saturday (Oct. 22) when the Falcons face Johnson C. Smith University in the first game at the George Williams Athletic Complex. The CIAA contest, starting at 2 p.m., is the centerpiece of homecoming weekend, which started Oct. 20.
The stadium features a FieldTurf playing surface in addition to a state-of-the-art scoreboard and track surface befitting the person the stadium is named after – George Williams, the school’s athletic director and iconic track and field coach.
The 2004 U.S. Olympic Head Coach, Williams has led his track and field teams to 31 NCAA Division II championships and approximately 150 CIAA titles in his 35 years as St. Aug head coach.
“It is a great thing that we can play on our own campus,” Williams said. “Our students can come out of their residence halls and see the game. Give praise to our president – Dr. [Dianne Boardley] Suber - for this. We give all those involved a big round of thanks, and hope it will be an everlasting relationship between the community, the city of Raleigh and the college.”
After playing the previous three home games in Durham, N.C., Head Football Coach Michael Costa is certainly looking forward to this moment. His Falcon teams have played at various off-campus sites in Raleigh, N.C., since football was re-instituted at St. Aug in 2002.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” Costa said. “We have been waiting 10 seasons for this. We appreciate the opportunity to showcase our talents to our fans and our alumni and finally have that home field advantage.”
Football Game Notes vs. Johnson C. Smith
Richmond Football Unveils Future Opponents Through 2016
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND -- The University of Richmond has announced its non-conference football opponents through the 2016 season, highlighted by 11 games versus Commonwealth teams.The Spiders series versus the University of Virginia continues through 2016, while the long-standing VMI series is extended through 2015. Richmond and North Carolina State meet in 2013 and the Spiders have not yet announced a BCS opponent in 2015.
Also highlighting the Spiders' future schedule are home-and-home series with in-state foes Liberty and Hampton University, along with a series versus Gardner-Webb and home games versus Charlotte, Morehead State and Norfolk State. The Spiders and Flames have never met on the gridiron, while Richmond has played Hampton just once previously - with the Spiders winning 38-10, in the 2005 NCAA FCS Playoffs First Round.
Game dates and times have yet to be announced and match-ups are subject to change.
FUTURE FOOTBALL NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
2012: HOME: Gardner-Webb. AWAY: at Virginia; at VMI
*2013: HOME: Liberty; VMI. AWAY: at N.C. State; at Gardner-Webb
*2014: HOME: Hampton; Morehead State; AWAY: at Virginia; at Liberty
2015: HOME: VMI; AWAY: at TBA (BCS opponent); at Hampton
2016: HOME: Charlotte; Norfolk State. AWAY: at Virginia
* 12-game regular-season schedule
ECSU can clinch tie for title
Elizabeth City, North Carolina -- Even after losing its first two games of the season, Elizabeth City State did not panic. Coach Waverly Tillar preached to his players that if they continued to work and stayed on the path they were on, things would work out.Five games and five wins later, the Vikings (5-2, 3-1 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) can win the Northern Division title and sew up a spot in the Nov. 12 CIAA championship game opposite Winston-Salem State, which beat the Vikings 22-17 on Sept. 3.
Standing in ECSU’s way is Bowie State (4-3, 3-2). The Vikings can virtually wrap up the division crown by beating the Bulldogs today.
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BSU GAME AUDIO: http://www.herbfm.com/
12:30pm Bowie State Football Pre-Game show with Pre game interviews from Elizabeth City NC (Live)
1pm Kickoff: Bowie State Bulldogs (4-2, 3-2) at Elizabeth City State Vikings (5-2, 3-1)from Elizabeth City NC (Live)
2011 OVC Cross Country Championship Preview (Tenn. State)
Nashville, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University men's and women's cross country teams conclude the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Front Runner Invitational hosted by Chattanooga. The 2011 OVC Cross Country Championship will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Arlington Golf Course in Richmond, Ky. Eastern Kentucky University will serve as the host.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
OVC Championship (Richmond, Ky.)
Austin Peay
Eastern Illinois
Eastern Kentucky
Jacksonville State
Morehead State
Murray State
Southeast Missouri
Tennessee State
Tennessee Tech
UT Martin
Tennessee State: Tennessee State traveled to the Front Runner Invitational in Chattanooga on Saturday to compete in the five-team field. The Flying Tigers placed fourth overall as did the Tigerbelles. Christopher Hobbs led the men's team for the fifth time this season, running the 5K course in 17:30 to place 20th overall. Charita Harris led the women's squad for the first time this year, covering the 2-mile course in 13:14 and placing 16th overall. The race was the last prep before running at the OVC Championship in Richmond, Ky. in two weeks.
VISIT: TSUTIGERS
VISIT: OVCSPORTS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
OVC Championship (Richmond, Ky.)
Austin Peay
Eastern Illinois
Eastern Kentucky
Jacksonville State
Morehead State
Murray State
Southeast Missouri
Tennessee State
Tennessee Tech
UT Martin
Tennessee State: Tennessee State traveled to the Front Runner Invitational in Chattanooga on Saturday to compete in the five-team field. The Flying Tigers placed fourth overall as did the Tigerbelles. Christopher Hobbs led the men's team for the fifth time this season, running the 5K course in 17:30 to place 20th overall. Charita Harris led the women's squad for the first time this year, covering the 2-mile course in 13:14 and placing 16th overall. The race was the last prep before running at the OVC Championship in Richmond, Ky. in two weeks.
VISIT: TSUTIGERS
VISIT: OVCSPORTS
WSSU cross-country teams off to a fast start
Cary, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State is off to another good start as it tries to collect more CIAA championship hardware. The Rams women’s cross-country team, led by Brittney Killebrew, Manuela Rigaud, Tyrah Winfrey and Kristi Baptiste, won their second straight CIAA title on Thursday in Cary. All four runners finished in the top 10.Coach Inez Turner said she was thrilled with how the Rams came through. “We displayed big heart and the right attitude,” Turner said. “The ladies were tough.” For Killebrew, a sophomore, it was her second straight CIAA team and individual championship. She won for the second straight year running the 5-K course in 19:11.2
“We focused on running in a pack, staying together, and not letting anyone pass us,” Killebrew said. “This feels great. It's never going to get old.”
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Friday, October 21, 2011
Homecoming Preview: NCCU Eagles at Hampton Pirates
HAMPTON, Virginia – The Hampton University football team will look to get back into the win column on Saturday, when the Pirates welcome North Carolina Central to Armstrong Stadium to celebrate Homecoming.
Kickoff will be at 2 p.m.
The Pirates (3-3, 1-2 MEAC) are coming off a 34-24 loss at Norfolk State this past Saturday, while the Eagles (1-5, 0-3 MEAC), in their first year in the conference, lost their fourth straight game this past Saturday 52-3 to Morgan State.
The Pirates are 48-33-2 all-time in their Homecoming contests – though Hampton has not won a Homecoming game since 2006, when the Pirates beat Winston-Salem State 13-3. Bethune-Cookman spoiled Hampton’s Homecoming last season with a 23-18 win. Hampton won its first-ever Homecoming game, beating Virginia Union 25-0 in 1928. The Pirates won 11 straight Homecoming games from 1980-1990, and had won six straight from 2001-06.
For the season, senior quarterback David Legree (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is completing 59.3 percent of his passes (115-for-194) for 1,338 yards and nine touchdowns. Legree is second in the MEAC in passing, averaging 223.0 yards per game in the air.
Game Notes
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Kickoff will be at 2 p.m.
The Pirates (3-3, 1-2 MEAC) are coming off a 34-24 loss at Norfolk State this past Saturday, while the Eagles (1-5, 0-3 MEAC), in their first year in the conference, lost their fourth straight game this past Saturday 52-3 to Morgan State.
The Pirates are 48-33-2 all-time in their Homecoming contests – though Hampton has not won a Homecoming game since 2006, when the Pirates beat Winston-Salem State 13-3. Bethune-Cookman spoiled Hampton’s Homecoming last season with a 23-18 win. Hampton won its first-ever Homecoming game, beating Virginia Union 25-0 in 1928. The Pirates won 11 straight Homecoming games from 1980-1990, and had won six straight from 2001-06.
For the season, senior quarterback David Legree (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is completing 59.3 percent of his passes (115-for-194) for 1,338 yards and nine touchdowns. Legree is second in the MEAC in passing, averaging 223.0 yards per game in the air.
Game Notes
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North Carolina A&T Aggies, Howard Bison Renew Rivalry in D.C.
Greensboro, North Carolina -- Over the last six seasons, Howard and North Carolina A&T have stumbled to the bottom of the MEAC standings. Howard has not had a winning season since 2004 and the Aggies last winning season occurred in 2003. Over the previous six seasons, the two teams have combined to go 29-104.In the same time frame, S.C. State is 52-18. But the trends are changing for both schools.
The Aggies and the Bison were picked to finish 9th and 11th respectively in the conference during the preseason, but the Aggies are 3-0 in the MEAC and the Bison is 2-2 with a win over MEAC co-champion Florida A&M. Perhaps the reasons behind the turnarounds are the two first-year head coaches. Rod Broadway is in his first season as the Aggies head coach, while Gary Harrell took over it is alma mater.
The Polls
As the wins continue to pour in, North Carolina A&T is starting to be recognized nationally. In this week's Sports Network Top 25 Poll, the Aggies received four votes. The Aggies entered the Sheridan Broadcasting Network Poll for the first time in seven years this week as the No. 9 team. The SBN Poll traditionally determines who the Black College National Champion is. The Aggies last won the title in 1999.
 | Aggie Game Notesv.Howard |
2011 SBN Poll Previous Week
Team Record Pts.
1. Alabama State 6-1 259
2. Norfolk State 6-1 246
3. S.C. State 4-3 178
4. Jackson State 6-1 145
5. WSSU 7-0 121
6. Bethune-Cookman3-3 97
7. Albany State 4-2 82
8. Alabama A&M 4-2 56
9. N.C. A&T 4-2 51
10. Hampton 3-3 39
Others receiving votes: Stillman 34, Florida A&M 28, Morehouse 23, Elizabeth City State 19, Morgan State 15.
| Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information |
VISIT: NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NCATAGGIES
Bethune-Cookman shuts down Norfolk State, hands Spartans first MEAC loss
Norfolk, Virginia -- Isidore Jackson rushed for a career-high 206 yards on 34 carries, and Dion Hanks intercepted a Chris Walley pass in the end zone in the final minute to seal Bethune-Cookman’s 14-6 win over Norfolk State in an ESPNU-televised MEAC contest Thursday evening at Dick Price Stadium.
The loss is the first in MEAC play for the Spartans (6-2, 4-1), who had their five-game winning streak snapped and had made the national polls -- at No. 24 in The Sports Network rankings -- for the first time since 2007. B-CU improved to 4-3, 2-2.
NSU was held to a season-low 249 yards of offense by the Wildcats, who never trailed. NSU failed to score a TD against an FCS opponent for the first time since a 43-3 loss to B-CU in 2004, a span of 70 games.
B-CU struck first on a 2-yard Anthony Jordan run with 4:08 left in the first quarter. That capped a 14-play, 88-yard drive. The Spartans cut the deficit to 7-3 on a 50-yard Everett Goldberg field goal with just 2:18 left before halftime.
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Bethune-Cookman stuns Norfolk State
NORFOLK, Viriginia -- With Ryan Davis wreaking havoc on defense and Isidore Jackson doing the same on offense, Bethune-Cookman overpowered 24th-ranked Norfolk State 14-6 Thursday night at Dick Price Stadium.
B-CU shut down Norfolk State's high-powered offense most of the night, but the Spartans drove to B-CU's 4 in the final minute with a chance to pull out the win until Dion Hanks intercepted a Chris Walley pass in the end zone to clinch the victory.
The Wildcats (4-3, 2-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) have little hope of winning the conference championship this year, but they were able to play spoiler in handing the Spartans (6-2, 4-1) their first MEAC loss.
They did it by playing power football. Led by defensive end Davis, B-CU kept pressure on Walley all game, holding the conference's top quarterback to 88 yards passing. On offense, the 'Cats kept handing the ball to the rugged Jackson, and he continuously punched holes through the Spartans' defensive front.
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Though at home, NSU looked out of its element
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State on Thursday night played its first football game in four years as a nationally ranked team. The Spartans, 24th in the Football Championship Subdivision, also played their third game in 13 days.
They looked significantly more like a team running on fumes, from the 94-yard touchdown drive they yielded to Bethune-Cookman in the first quarter to the interception at the goal line that ended their hopes in the final minute.
Whether it was fatigue, malaise or the unfamiliar dynamic of a midweek night game Dick Price Stadium hasn’t seen since 2005 – likely it was a stew of them all – Norfolk State sputtered through a 14-6 loss to the MEAC-rival Wildcats.
The bright side of NSU’s uncharacteristic display for a crowd announced at 10,053 is that, in this interesting season’s scheme of things, the loss is immaterial to the Spartans’ drive for their first conference title.
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The loss is the first in MEAC play for the Spartans (6-2, 4-1), who had their five-game winning streak snapped and had made the national polls -- at No. 24 in The Sports Network rankings -- for the first time since 2007. B-CU improved to 4-3, 2-2.
NSU was held to a season-low 249 yards of offense by the Wildcats, who never trailed. NSU failed to score a TD against an FCS opponent for the first time since a 43-3 loss to B-CU in 2004, a span of 70 games.
B-CU struck first on a 2-yard Anthony Jordan run with 4:08 left in the first quarter. That capped a 14-play, 88-yard drive. The Spartans cut the deficit to 7-3 on a 50-yard Everett Goldberg field goal with just 2:18 left before halftime.
READ MORE
Bethune-Cookman stuns Norfolk State
NORFOLK, Viriginia -- With Ryan Davis wreaking havoc on defense and Isidore Jackson doing the same on offense, Bethune-Cookman overpowered 24th-ranked Norfolk State 14-6 Thursday night at Dick Price Stadium.
B-CU shut down Norfolk State's high-powered offense most of the night, but the Spartans drove to B-CU's 4 in the final minute with a chance to pull out the win until Dion Hanks intercepted a Chris Walley pass in the end zone to clinch the victory.
The Wildcats (4-3, 2-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) have little hope of winning the conference championship this year, but they were able to play spoiler in handing the Spartans (6-2, 4-1) their first MEAC loss.
They did it by playing power football. Led by defensive end Davis, B-CU kept pressure on Walley all game, holding the conference's top quarterback to 88 yards passing. On offense, the 'Cats kept handing the ball to the rugged Jackson, and he continuously punched holes through the Spartans' defensive front.
READ MORE
Though at home, NSU looked out of its element
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State on Thursday night played its first football game in four years as a nationally ranked team. The Spartans, 24th in the Football Championship Subdivision, also played their third game in 13 days.
They looked significantly more like a team running on fumes, from the 94-yard touchdown drive they yielded to Bethune-Cookman in the first quarter to the interception at the goal line that ended their hopes in the final minute.
Whether it was fatigue, malaise or the unfamiliar dynamic of a midweek night game Dick Price Stadium hasn’t seen since 2005 – likely it was a stew of them all – Norfolk State sputtered through a 14-6 loss to the MEAC-rival Wildcats.
The bright side of NSU’s uncharacteristic display for a crowd announced at 10,053 is that, in this interesting season’s scheme of things, the loss is immaterial to the Spartans’ drive for their first conference title.
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Thursday, October 20, 2011
WSSU enjoying the ride but it might get bumpy
Winston Salem, North Carolina -- About the only suffering coach Connell Maynor has had to endure so far this season is a root canal earlier this week. At 7-0 and ranked 11th in Division II there’s much to be happy about at WSSU these days.
Somebody asked me the other day what is the team’s best feature, their offense or their defense. My response was neither because I think their best attribute is their depth.
While they do have 14 Division I transfers on their roster, several of those transfers don’t start and have to battle each and every day for playing time. That’s a luxury most Division II teams would love to have.
A perfect example is defensive tackle Justin Wilkerson, who originally signed with Duke but never played for the Blue Devils. He transferred to WSSU and with Barry Tripp injured Wilkerson has made an impact.
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Somebody asked me the other day what is the team’s best feature, their offense or their defense. My response was neither because I think their best attribute is their depth.
While they do have 14 Division I transfers on their roster, several of those transfers don’t start and have to battle each and every day for playing time. That’s a luxury most Division II teams would love to have.
A perfect example is defensive tackle Justin Wilkerson, who originally signed with Duke but never played for the Blue Devils. He transferred to WSSU and with Barry Tripp injured Wilkerson has made an impact.
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QB battle: Norfolk's stability, vs. B-CU's versatility
Daytona Beach, Florida - They say that if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. So what does it mean if you have three? The perfect situation, according to Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins. Norfolk State, on the other hand, has one established starter under center in Chris Walley, who leads the Mid Eastern-Athletic Conference with 1,660 yards passing.
The approaches may be different, but you can't argue with the results. The top two offensive teams in the conference will square off tonight in Norfolk, Va., in front of a nationally televised audience. "It's going to be a good football game," Jenkins said. "A good football game."
Bethune-Cookman at Norfolk State
WHERE: Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, Virginia
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
INTERNET: ESPN3
RADIO: WELE (1380 AM), Daytona Beach
Norfolk State (6-1, 4-0 MEAC) is trying to remain undefeated in the conference, while B-CU (3-3, 1-2) is trying to get back in the race.
"Bethune-Cookman is another great football team with a lot of great talent. They have three quarterbacks and they can all play," said Spartans coach Pete Adrian, a former defensive coordinator at B-CU and head coach at Deltona High.
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The approaches may be different, but you can't argue with the results. The top two offensive teams in the conference will square off tonight in Norfolk, Va., in front of a nationally televised audience. "It's going to be a good football game," Jenkins said. "A good football game."
Bethune-Cookman at Norfolk State
RADIO: WELE (1380 AM), Daytona Beach
Norfolk State (6-1, 4-0 MEAC) is trying to remain undefeated in the conference, while B-CU (3-3, 1-2) is trying to get back in the race.
"Bethune-Cookman is another great football team with a lot of great talent. They have three quarterbacks and they can all play," said Spartans coach Pete Adrian, a former defensive coordinator at B-CU and head coach at Deltona High.
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Grambling State host Mississippi Valley State Saturday
GRAMBLING, La. — Homecoming and a winless opponent. Sounds like a recipe for success for Grambling State University on Saturday, doesn't it? Whoa, not so fast.
"While it's great to be at home and having all of the alumni events and grads coming back, it can also be a little distracting," admitted Doug Williams, the Tigers' head coach. "There is always so much going on, it's a challenge to keep the team focused.
"For the players and coaches, there's still a football game to be played and that's what we've got to deal with."
Serving as Grambling State's 2 p.m. homecoming foe at Robinson Stadium will be Mississippi Valley State (0-7, 0-6), which has yet to win in seven games. And the Delta Devils' overall losing streak of 18.games is the second longest in the country. The last time Valley won a game was in November of 2009 when they defeated Lincoln University 16-6.
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"While it's great to be at home and having all of the alumni events and grads coming back, it can also be a little distracting," admitted Doug Williams, the Tigers' head coach. "There is always so much going on, it's a challenge to keep the team focused.
"For the players and coaches, there's still a football game to be played and that's what we've got to deal with."
Serving as Grambling State's 2 p.m. homecoming foe at Robinson Stadium will be Mississippi Valley State (0-7, 0-6), which has yet to win in seven games. And the Delta Devils' overall losing streak of 18.games is the second longest in the country. The last time Valley won a game was in November of 2009 when they defeated Lincoln University 16-6.
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ASU plays musical quarterbacks
Lorman, Mississippi -- Alcorn State appears to have grounded Air Canada. The Braves (1-4) entertain Concordia College at 4 p.m. Saturday. Bridge, nicknamed Air Canada, was benched a month ago as Darius Smith started the Braves’ last two games. Smith is expected to start against Concordia. Bridge was named SWAC’s freshman of the year.“We felt the other guy was the best guy at the time,” Braves coach Melvin Spears said during a SWAC teleconference call. “We’re looking for consistency. He has more poise than Bridge and is not looking to run as much.”
The Braves have had odd back-to-back open dates.
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Preseason All-GCAC team includes Xavier's Hall, Kelly
NEW ORLEANS, Lousisiana — Seniors Keldra Hall and Jazmoné Kelly are Xavier University of Louisiana's representatives on the preseason All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball team announced Wednesday.
GCAC head coaches selected the team, which consists of 10 players. Xavier and Tougaloo are the only schools with two players on the team.
Hall, a 6-foot center from Dallas and a graduate of Molina High School and Angelina College, averaged 8.2 points and a team-leading 7.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocked shots per game this past season. Her 108 rebounds were the most by a Gold Nugget in four seasons.
Kelly, a 5-9 guard/forward and a graduate of Cincinnati's Ursuline Academy, averaged 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds and became the first Gold Nugget since Jackie Tucker in 2003-04 to reach 60 offensive rebounds, 60 assists and 60 steals in the same season
Both Hall and Kelly were All-GCAC in 2010-11, and Hall was the GCAC Newcomer of the Year.
Xavier, 27-7 in 2010-11, will travel to LSU for an exhibition on Nov. 2, then open the regular season two days later against Florida Memorial at The Barn. Both games will tip off at 7 p.m.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
GCAC head coaches selected the team, which consists of 10 players. Xavier and Tougaloo are the only schools with two players on the team.
 |
| Keldra Hall, left, and Jazmoné Kelly are among five seniors on the 2011-12 Xavier women's basketball team. (click photo to enlarge) |
Kelly, a 5-9 guard/forward and a graduate of Cincinnati's Ursuline Academy, averaged 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds and became the first Gold Nugget since Jackie Tucker in 2003-04 to reach 60 offensive rebounds, 60 assists and 60 steals in the same season
Both Hall and Kelly were All-GCAC in 2010-11, and Hall was the GCAC Newcomer of the Year.
Xavier, 27-7 in 2010-11, will travel to LSU for an exhibition on Nov. 2, then open the regular season two days later against Florida Memorial at The Barn. Both games will tip off at 7 p.m.
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By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Lincoln's Cook continues to impress
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania -- Less than a year ago, Doug Cook was wowing college recruiters and bedeviling opposing defenses as a high school senior in Dania Beach, Florida.Today, the 6-foot, 170-pounder is not only a starter at Lincoln University, but he has already established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the CIAA. And the sky is the limit for Cook’s future.
“He is going to be a very special player,” said teammate Brandon McElwee. “That boy is different from any other true freshman. Wait until you see him in a couple years.”
Cook’s ascent into one of the premier rookie signal callers in all of Division II is hardly a shocker. He was the third-rated quarterback in talent-rich Florida in 2010 and ranked No. 44 nationally by MaxPreps. And through seven games, Cook is second in the 12-team CIAA in total offense, averaging 242 yards per contest.
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One is not a lonely number for XU in the NAIA polls
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana received one point Wednesday — the same number as this past week — in both of the NAIA Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 polls. But that pair of ones is significant.
For the Gold Nuggets, it's the first time since 2002 that they received a vote in consecutive polls, and it's the first time since that same season that they were mentioned in the poll entering the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships. For the XU men, it's the first time they received a vote this late in a season.
Both XU teams will compete Saturday in the GCAC meet at Choctaw Trails Course in Clinton, Miss. — women's race at 8 a.m., men's race at 8:30 — and both the Gold Nuggets and the Gold Rush are trying to win a sixth consecutive team championship. XU junior Matt Pieri is the defending men's individual champion.
For the Gold Nuggets, it's the first time since 2002 that they received a vote in consecutive polls, and it's the first time since that same season that they were mentioned in the poll entering the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships. For the XU men, it's the first time they received a vote this late in a season.
Both XU teams will compete Saturday in the GCAC meet at Choctaw Trails Course in Clinton, Miss. — women's race at 8 a.m., men's race at 8:30 — and both the Gold Nuggets and the Gold Rush are trying to win a sixth consecutive team championship. XU junior Matt Pieri is the defending men's individual champion.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA VISIT: XULAATHLETICS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
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